Colts snag explosive Oklahoma Sooners slot receiver Deion Burks late in the 2026 NFL Draft, as his blazing speed and big-play potential offer a steal for Indianapolis
As the 2026 NFL Draft wound down to its final selections, the Indianapolis Colts selected Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks with the 254th overall pick.
The 5-foot-9, 188-pound senior from Inkster, Michigan, who transferred to OU and became a reliable contributor in the SEC, now joins the Colts as a late-round flier with legitimate big-play potential.
Burks’ path to Norman wasn’t straightforward. After productive seasons at Purdue, including a standout 2023 campaign with 47 receptions for 629 yards and seven touchdowns, he entered the transfer portal and landed with the Sooners ahead of the 2024 season.
Injuries limited him to just five games that year, a thigh contusion sidelined him for several weeks and a concussion ended his season early, but he still flashed explosiveness with 31 catches for 245 yards and three scores, including a three-touchdown performance in the opener.
In 2025, a healthier Burks started all 13 games and delivered his most consistent production yet: 57 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked second on the team in receiving yards, notched multiple 60+ yard games, and delivered a highlight-reel 107-yard, one-touchdown effort in the College Football Playoff First Round against Alabama.
His blazing speed (he ran a 4.30-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, one of the fastest times among receivers) and explosive after-the-catch ability made him a constant threat in the slot and on jet sweeps.
From an Oklahoma perspective, Burks embodied the Sooner ethos of resilience and adaptability. Despite battling injuries and adjusting to a new offense under Ben Arbuckle, he earned the trust of his teammates and coaches with his work ethic and positive attitude.
He brought a fearless style to OU, as a smaller-framed receiver who played with tremendous heart and never shied away from contact.
His appearance on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list for athletic testing (including elite bench press numbers and GPS-tracked speed) only added to the excitement around his game-breaking traits.
That said, Burks’ slide to the 254th pick came as a surprise to many.
Pre-draft projections had him as a potential mid-to-late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection, with some analysts (including strong praise from Steve Smith Sr. after extensive film study) highlighting first-round upside due to his rare combination of speed, power, and quickness at his size.
However, medical concerns weighed heavily on teams. Burks has a documented history of head and neck issues, including multiple concussions and a possible neck injury, along with soft-tissue problems that caused him to miss significant time.
These red flags created enough uncertainty that he fell well below his pre-draft expectations, turning what could have been a higher pick into a value opportunity for Indianapolis.
The Colts, who have emphasized speed and versatility in their passing game around quarterback Daniel Jones, get a high-upside slot specialist who can contribute immediately on special teams and in gadget plays while developing into a reliable third or fourth option.
Burks’ elite athletic testing and proven ability to create separation in the short-to-intermediate areas give him a clear path to earning snaps, provided he stays healthy.
Deion Burks represents another success story in the Sooner receiver pipeline, a player who transferred in, battled through adversity, and left Norman better for the experience.
Questions about durability remain, but if Burks can stay on the field and unleash his speed in the NFL, the Colts may have stolen a gem at the very end of the draft.
Burks is the seventh Sooner selected in this year's draft. Other include Jaran Kanak to the Titans, Robert Spears-Jennings to the Steelers, Kendal Daniels to the Falcons, with Gracen Halton going to the 49ers, Febechi Nwaiwu going to the Texans, and R Mason Thomas headed to the Chiefs.